Sense of coherence as a determinant of the oral health‐related quality of life: a national study in Finnish adults

Abstract

Our aim was to investigate the relationship among the oral health-related quality of life, the sense of coherence (SOC), and socio-economic and demographic factors, oral behavioural variables and oral health variables. The sample of this study consisted of 4,039, 30-64-yr-old dentate adults (1,899 men and 2,140 women). The questionnaire and home interview included information about socio-economic and demographic factors, behavioural and attitudinal variables (such as oral health behaviours and oral health variables), the SOC (12-item) and the Oral Health Impact Profile scales (OHIP-14). Subjects with a strong or moderate SOC were found to have significantly fewer problems attributed to oral conditions (OHIP) than those with a weak SOC. The SOC was also associated with all of the subscales of the OHIP, and the association was most evident in psychological discomfort, psychological disability and handicap subscales. The SOC appears to be a determinant of the OHIP, independently of oral health, oral health behaviour and socio-economic factors. A psycho-social aspect is strongly embodied in the oral health-related quality of life of individuals.

Relationship Between Mother’s Sense of Coherence and Oral Health of Babies aged 6-36 Months: APilot Study

“…Previous studies have confirmed the existence of association between SOC and the general health status of individuals [28,29], including the oral health of infants [11], adolescents [12] and adults [13]. These studies are in agreement with the salutogenic theory, in which the higher / stronger the SOC, the healthier the individuals [5].…”

“…Therefore, association between maternal SOC and oral health conditions in children has been observed [6,7,11]. Other studies have linked SOC to behaviors that interfere with oral health such as the habit of visiting the dentist or access to dental care, brushing frequency, consumption of sugar in the diet and use of fluoride [12][13][14]. There are also studies evaluating the association between maternal SOC and eating habits [15] and childhood cancer [16].…”

Relationship between Sense of Coherence and oral health in adults and elderly Brazilians

“…12,14,15,18,20 Therefore, this study provides information from a group with different characteristics, thus allowing comparisons with the SOC of a population presenting other cultural and behavioral values.…”

“…8,10,12,13,14,30 However, the investigation of the relationship of the SOC with clinical health conditions is still scant in the literature. Freire et al 5 found an association between SOC and cavities in the posterior teeth of adolescents, a result that was not confirmed by multivariate analysis.…”

“…According to Antonovsky,3 SOC is "a global orientation that expresses the extent to which one has a pervasive, enduring though dynamic feeling of confidence that (1) the stimuli from one's internal and external environments in the course of living are structured, predictable, and explicable; (2) the resources are available to one to meet the demands posed by these stimuli; and (3) these demands are challenges, worthy of investment and engagement". 3 The SOC has been shown to be a promising resource for establishing healthy behaviors 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16 and a positive self-perception of oral health, 14,16 which increases the interest in investigating its relationship…”